By all accounts it was a huge success.

157 fencers in 190 weapons (23% increase from previous year) participated at the Vango Toronto Fencing Centre, in Markham.

Our American Veterans family once again attended in great numbers with their “Heavy artillery”, 9 World Championship Medalists, US fencers earned 47 medals.

The crème de la crème of Canadian Veterans fenced, all of our World Championship and Commonwealth Championship medalists and most of our National Champions. Canadians came away with 33 medals.

Four fencers from Russia and three fencers from Bermuda were among the participants. Our fellow Russian Veterans, all member of their National team, did not disappoint, displaying superb fencing, taking 6 medals.

Thirty three teams competed in all weapons.

Competition was tough, camaraderie was great, the level of fencing was truly World Class, safe to say equaling any Veterans tournament in the Americas.

From the feedback, our DT (Dan Banks and his team) ran a superb tournament efficiently and as quickly as possible. The refereeing was very good all around.

Armory headed by the dedicated Pat Morrow, received a lot of praise.

His Worship Frank Scarpitti, the Mayor of Markham attended the meet on Saturday, addressed the participants and presented medals.

In appreciation from the City of Markham, he also presented the CFF Veterans Committee with a diploma for staging the Can/Am Veterans Cup in Markham.

The Gala Dinner/Dance on Saturday was attended by 116 fencers (23% increase from previous year) Brad Goldie, President of CFF along with Board members and the Executive Director were present, to support and show their solidarity to Veterans Fencing.

This year’s honoree was Gaby Weisz (Canada) for his work and dedication to Veterans fencing.

Some of the high lights of the tournament were:

Jane Eyre (World Champion, USA) winning Combined, 60+ and Team in Women’s Sabre

Jennette Starks-Faulkner (World Champion, USA) Women’s Champion at Arms.

Our own indefatigable Mark Ballard, winning a total of 5 medals and Men’s Champion at Arms

Fresh from winning the National Championships, Evgeny Bohzenko won Combined men’s foil.

Kirsten Ball and Michael Buckley, Combined Epee.

The mismatch of the tournament was in the 70+ men’s foil final; Gaby Weisz vs. Gari Aftandilov, (12 times World Champion.)

In the team competition a real nail biter in men’s foil; neck and neck all the way the RussCan Warriors prevailed over D’artagnan’s Dedushkas 45-44.

Our thanks to; Vango staff, all officials, volunteers, generous sponsors and our participating Veterans family.

Have a great summer; we’ll see you all (and more veteran fencers) at Can/Am Veterans Cup 2017

Full results: https://askfred.net/Results/results.php?tournament_id=32142

Sincere regrets for errors or omissions.